Character data input apparatus and method thereof

A data input method comprising the steps of;

• displaying a plurality of separate written character input frames used for input by a user of a single handwritten character to each one of input frames,
• receiving a separate handwritten character inputted by the user into each of said displayed input frames to display it in that input frame,
• correlating each received handwritten character to features of known characters for entry of that known character into the same single character input frame which received the corresponding handwritten character,
• displaying a selection frame containing a display of candidates of known characters for a handwritten character in any selected input frame and a graphic image indicating a predetermined editing process for the selected input frame which selection frame is used for selecting one of the known characters and for performing said predetermined editing process,
• selecting one of said input frames for displaying the selection frame for selection for that input frame of a candidate of known characters or performing said selected editing process on said candidate of known characters,
• displaying in the input frame either a known character correlated with the handwritten character or a known character which is selected or edit processed from the candidates of known characters, and
• accepting as character data the known character correlated with the handwritten character or said known character which is selected or edit processed.

A computing program product, on a computer readable medium, for identifying handwritten characters entered onto a screen of a computer product, the computer program product comprising:

• frame software for displaying a plurality of input frames used for input by a user of a string of handwritten characters each handwritten character to be inputted in a different one of the input frames,
• receiving software for receiving a handwritten character inputted by the user to any one of said displayed input frames to display it in said input frame,
• recognition software for correlating characteristics of the received handwritten character with characteristics of known characters for generating a set of candidates of known characters,
• selection frame software for displaying separate from the input frames a selection frame containing candidates of known characters for any handwritten character entered into any one of the displayed input frames and graphic images indicating predetermined editing process which selection frame is used for selecting one of said candidates of known characters and said predetermined editing process,
• character selection software for selecting one of said selection frames for selection one of the characters in the set of candidates of known characters for the handwritten characters entered into that input frame or for performing said selected editing process on a known character in the selection frame, displaying software for displaying in the selected input frame either a known character correlated with the handwritten character or a known character which is selected or edit processed from the candidates of known characters, and
• accepting software for accepting as character data the known character correlated with the handwritten character or the known character which is selected or edit processed.

A computer system comprising:

• a computer screen responsive to handwritten entries;
• frame software for displaying a plurality of input frames on the computer screen used for input by a user of a string of handwritten characters each handwritten character inputted in a different one of the input frames,
• receiving software for receiving a handwritten character inputted by the user to any one of said displayed input frames to display it in said input frame,
• recognition software for correlating characteristics of the received handwritten character with characteristics of known characters for generating a set of candidates of known characters,
• selection frame software for displaying separate from the input frames a selection frame containing candidates of known characters for any handwritten character entered into any one of the displayed input frames and graphic images indicating predetermined editing process which selection frame is used for selecting one of said candidates of known characters and said predetermined editing process,
• character selection software for selecting one of said selection frames for selection one of the characters in the set of candidates of known characters for the handwritten characters entered into that input frame or for performing said selected editing process on a known character in the selection frame,
• displaying software for displaying in the selected input frame either a known character correlated with the handwritten character or a known character which is selected or edit processed from the candidates of known characters, and
• accepting software for accepting as character data the known character correlated with the handwritten character or the known character which is selected or edit processed.